Internet Access

  • CSD strongly recommend a home broadband connection to access online learning resources. Although we have hotspots available upon request, a broadband connection offers a far more reliable experience to support online learning.

    If the cost of broadband connectivity is a challenge, families have several options from area telecoms to try to ease that challenge:

    • The FCC has the Affordable Connectivity Program (a successor to the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit). Eliglble families can receive
      • Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
      • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
      • Note that this program is not limited to households with children; see the eligibility requirements for additional information
    • Comcast offers an Internet Essentials as an inexpensive home internet service.
    • AT&T offers Access from AT&T as an inexpensive home internet service.
    • The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has this information about internet access plans from cellphone providers.

Managing family technology

  • Families often have questions about how best to manage students' home use of technology. Students and parents might investigate these tools and resources in making those family decisions.

    Guidance and resources

    While controls on devices can be effective to e.g. limit screen time and block inappropriate content, there are several non-technical yet critical things adults can do to have a positive influence on students' healthy use of technology:

    • Adults rolemodeling healthy use of technology.
    • Clear expectations about acceptable technology use. These should be understood by both adults and students and revisited even when things are going well.
    • Regular conversations about students' online experiences -- the good, the bad, the confusing, and the just plain weird.
    • Adults and students exploring together the positive ways technology can connect families, support learning, and contribute to society.

    Some third-party resources to consider:

    Device and app management

    Apple, Google, and Microsoft develop the operating systems that run on most of the computers, phones, and other devices families are likely to use. All three have tools for filtering content, managing screen time, accessing apps, etc. That said, all three also have areas where they can improve their offerings, and all of them suggest use of their tools is most effective when part of a family discussion about acceptable technology use. Additionally, since 2018, both iOS (which runs on Apple iPhones and iPads) and Android (running on other manufacturers' phones) have included tools to help people better monitor their own use of their devices.

    Additionally, we encourage families to take advantage of the security tools embedded in the two major operating systems on some home computers:

    App reviews

    Consider consulting trusted third-parties to evaluate apps before agreeing to install something on a child's device. Possible review sources include